Straight From The Horse's Mouth: Mark Robinson

Hello and welcome to the 29th Straight From The Horse’s Mouth podcast on Horse and Field.

I am delighted to bring you my latest chat, which was with the well-known and highly respected British Horse Society instructor and assessor, dressage rider and judge, Mark Robinson.

Mark with his little brother and their granda at his farm in Donegal, with Mark’s pony ‘Twinkle’ and her foal ‘Little Star’.

I had an in-depth conversation with Mark about his equestrian background and his first pony ‘Twinkle’, how influential his granda was on his love of horses and how, after a great grounding at a British Horse Society Riding School, he initially happened upon working with horses at trekking centres in his native Donegal.

Mark with his Irish Draught ‘Murphy’. Mark kept him at home and sold him when he went to uni.

Mark did a degree in Environmental Health at the University of Ulster and, after he graduated, he took a ‘summer job’ at Gransha Equestrian Centre in Bangor. He stayed there for four years (!) and started his British Horse Society qualifications there.

Mark worked at Dunfanaghy Stables in Donegal on his summer holiday from uni. He was riding ‘Sionnach’ in this photo overlooking Tramore beach.

Mark then went to work at Wellington Riding in England and did his Stage 4 and 5 coaching qualifications, as well as some low-level eventing there on clients’ horses.

Mark eventing while working at Wellington Riding in England.

Mark moved back to Northern Ireland and initially competed Connemara Ponies and eventing, before following his more recognised path in dressage.

Mark competing in the Performance Connemara Pony class at Dublin Horse Show.

Mark competing in the Five-year-old Young Event Horse class at Dublin Horse Show riding ‘Drumnaconnell Bellagio’.

Mark named Tyrella, Loughanmore, Scarvagh House and Tattersalls International among his favourite Eventing Ireland events.

Mark and ‘Tomgar Horizon’ competing in the Six and Seven-year-old class at Tattersalls International Event. PICTURE: courtesy of Gary O’Shaughnessy

Mark had great success with his own horse Calli (otherwise known as Horsey!), with Debbie Burns’ horse Monty and has a project going forward with another horse belonging to Debbie - the well-related four-year-old George.

Mark doing dressage on his own horse ‘Calli’, otherwise known as ‘Horsey’!

Mark only has one qualification left to do - the Fellowship of the British Horse Society. All the best with that, Mark, when the time is right!

This was a long overdue and really enlightening conversation - I hope you enjoy our chat!

Stay tuned for the next Straight From the Horse’s Mouth podcast on Horse & Field.

Mark riding ‘Master Caledonia’ aka ‘Monty’ at the Dressage Ireland National Winter Championships. PICTURE: courtesy of Louise O’Brien Photography